Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Coculture Assays to Study Macrophage and Microglia Stimulation of Glioblastoma Invasion
09:23

Coculture Assays to Study Macrophage and Microglia Stimulation of Glioblastoma Invasion

Published on: October 20, 2016

Role of Smac/DIABLO in cancer progression

Gustavo Martinez-Ruiz1, Vilma Maldonado, Gisela Ceballos-Cancino

  • 1Functional Cancer Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Periferico Sur 4124, Torre Zafiro II 5to piso, Col, Ex-Rancho de Anzaldo, Alvaro Obregon 01900, Mexico City, México. gustavobambam@gmail.com

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research : CR
|September 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pI (Smac/DIABLO) is released during apoptosis, inhibiting IAPs to promote cell death. Its expression varies in tumors, suggesting a tissue-specific role and potential as a cancer therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pI (Smac/DIABLO) is a mitochondrial protein.
  • It is released into the cytosol upon apoptotic stimuli, including chemotherapy.
  • Smac/DIABLO antagonizes Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs), thereby promoting apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Smac/DIABLO in cancer.
  • To explore its potential as a diagnostic marker.
  • To discuss its utility as a therapeutic target for drug design.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies analyzing Smac/DIABLO expression in various human tumors.
  • Analysis of Smac/DIABLO's mechanism of action in apoptosis.
  • Evaluation of Smac/DIABLO-targeting peptidomimetics.

Main Results:

  • Smac/DIABLO expression levels show variability across different tumor types.
  • Evidence suggests a tissue-specific role for Smac/DIABLO in cancer.
  • Smac/DIABLO's interaction with IAPs is crucial for caspase activation.

Conclusions:

  • Smac/DIABLO plays a significant role in cancer cell apoptosis.
  • Its expression patterns indicate potential as a cancer biomarker.
  • Smac/DIABLO and its mimetics represent promising avenues for cancer therapy development.

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...